1818 - 1855
Nineteenth century lightweight bare-knuckle boxer Johnny Broome may not seem an obvious candidate for Jockeypedia. However, he did once ride in the Grand National.
Johnny Broome was born in Birmingham on March 14, 1818. It was said that “while he was yet a boy he could ride a pony at full gallop, standing on its bare back, and hence he gained in the neighbour-hood the nickname of ‘Young Ducrow’,” Andrew Ducrow being a famous acrobatic horseman of the age. The same source states that “Johnny was by trade a hammerman, and his work at the anvil strengthened and developed the muscles of his splendid chest and arms.”
Standing 5ft 6½ins tall and weighing between 133 and 140 pounds, he fought 10 times and was undefeated when he retired from the ring. He won the Lightweight Championship of England when defeating Jack Hannan on Oxfordshire on January 26, 1841. The bout lasted 47 rounds and 79 minutes. He defended his title against John Gorrick (known as ‘Bungaree’) on April 27, 1842 at a venue near Newmarket, winning in 42 rounds and 57 minutes.
In addition to his fighting career, Johnny Broome was also influential in the boxing world as a financial backer and arranger of fights. He also managed the fighting career of his younger brother Harry Broome (1825-1865), eventually setting up a fight with William Perry, which resulted in Harry being recognized as Heavyweight Champion of England in 1851.
In 1848 Johnny accepted an offer to ride in the Grand National. The pugilist-tuned-jockey had been thrust into the toughest race of all for his initiation into race-riding, but so strong was his desire to compete that when his intended mount went wrong, he begged to be given the ride on Eagle, one of the rank outsiders. He laid a bet that he would have reached the fourth field from home when the winner passed the post.
Following a week of more or less continuous rain, the going that year was exceptionally heavy. Johnny succeeded in keeping Eagle clear of early trouble on the first circuit and managed to avoid a melee at the first fence on the second circuit caused by fellow longshot Saucepan refusing when in front. Surprisingly, Johnny had Eagle within striking distance of the leaders approaching Becher’s Brook for the second time. But the exhausted Eagle failed to rise at the fence and the boxer hit the ground with such force that he had to be carried to a nearby farmhouse to recover his senses. It is not known whether he ever rode in a race again.
Johnny’s reputation in the world of prize-fighting later became tainted with scandal, as he was associated with some questionable transactions and a card fixing fraud. On May 31, 1855 he walked into the kitchens of the Wrekin Tavern, at Bow Street, London, took a carving knife and cut his own throat. He bled to death and was buried at West Norwood Cemetery. He was just 37 years old. Thus ended the life of a colourful character, an undefeated boxer, and a one-time jockey.
